Canon 50mm lens... which one?

DaelpixPhotography

DaelpixPhotography

Suspended / Banned
Messages
1,801
Name
David
Edit My Images
No
Now that I've decided to get the Sigma 150-500mm lens I'm wondering which 50mm lens would suit my needs.

I'm looking at...
50mm f1.8 II
50mm f2.5 Macro
50mm f1.4 USM

I want to shoot mostly landscapes with a little street photography mixed in.

I've been looking at this http://kenrockwell.com/canon/comparisons/50mm-lenses.htm
 
I would go with the f/1.4 but, if affordable, the f/1.2 is an excellent lens.
 
Would the 50mm suit your landscape needs? I would have thought something wider would be better. Don't get me wrong, 50mm can be used for landscapes - there's a post on here somewhere of 50mm landscape shots. For street photography it would be put to good use :)

I have the 50mm f1.8 II. To be honest it's great value for money and I love some of the results I have got from it. I think if I was buying again however and the money was there, I would be swayed to go for the 1.4 lens.
Why? It's better built - less plastic fantastic, metal mount instead of plastic, ultrasonic - quieter than the 1.8 and obviously it's just that little bit faster. It is over twice the price however so that's something you have got to weigh up.

Sometimes a few crop up on here cheap. The f1.8 II I have seen go for around £60 which to be honest is a steal
 
Out of the options you've listed I'd go with the f1.4 having had it and the f1.8 I'd say the USM and build are worth the extra.

If it was for me I'd buy a 35mm as it would give more flexibility for landscape use and still be good for street. Not that you can't do landscape with a 50mm!
 
Bob
Nope the 1,2 is way out of my budget.

Dan
I won't just use it for landscapes, I guess I would use it for, well I'm not quite sure really.
 
Not a Canon user so can only go by read reports that the f/1.8's build quality isn't up to that of the f/1.4 version so I would go for the f/1.4 based on those reports. Having said that, I've got an old f/1.8 Nikkor (and have been advised by sales advisors to keep it since it's supposedly better than the newer f/1.4 ones...)

Then again, if you're not going to be abusing it too much (ie banging it about looking for landscapes etc!), the f/1.8 might well be enough for you - ultimately, it's up to you to decide on the relationship between the length of your arms and the depth of your pockets. :D
 
A 1.4 lens it is then. You never know, I might decide to become involved in portraits too.

I'll need to get creative and take photos what I haven't taken before.
 
Ruffmeister said:
Would the 50mm suit your landscape needs? I would have thought something wider would be better. Don't get me wrong, 50mm can be used for landscapes - there's a post on here somewhere of 50mm landscape shots. For street photography it would be put to good use :)

I have the 50mm f1.8 II. To be honest it's great value for money and I love some of the results I have got from it. I think if I was buying again however and the money was there, I would be swayed to go for the 1.4 lens.
Why? It's better built - less plastic fantastic, metal mount instead of plastic, ultrasonic - quieter than the 1.8 and obviously it's just that little bit faster. It is over twice the price however so that's something you have got to weigh up.

Sometimes a few crop up on here cheap. The f1.8 II I have seen go for around £60 which to be honest is a steal
Click to expand...

Totally agree I would recommend you trial the 1.8 and see if its the type of lens you want. As its so cheap not gonna hurt your pocket and will give you practice at length with good bokeh and sharp images.
 
Good choice on the 1.4. It's a cracker! Some of my best portraits have been taken with it.
 
Hopefully I'll be able to afford it (although I can't afford anything right now and I should be saving NOT spending) . Got to go to the bank and check how much I've got.
 
I've had the 50 f1.8 II and didn't really get on with it. It wasn't too sharp until I stopped it down to f2.5/2.8 and I already had a lens that covered the range and was as sharp. I decided to sell it on and go for a second hand 50 f1.4 instead and although it doesn't get a lot of use (I got a 35 f2 and an 85 f1.8 at the same time but still use zooms more than primes) I wouldn't part with it. It's as sharp as a tack wide open, although a bit tricky to get the focussing right with such a small DOF, and the first shot I ever took with it to test it is still one of the best portrait shots I've taken, even though it was just a grab test shot.
 
I had the f2.5 "macro" and it seemed to be a good lens if rather mechanically slow but on the positive side I did read somewhere that it's thought by some to be one of Canon's sharpest lenses and their sharpest 50mm. Whatever... :D there's ONLY ONE 50mm IMVHO :D the Sigma f1.4! Mine was a match or sharper than the Canon f2.5 at every aperture the Canon could match.
 
Before you make your mind up I would seriously consider the new sigma 50mm f1.4 ART lens.. I haven't used/tested it yet but if it's anything like the 35mm it will be replacing my canon 1.4..
 
onform said:
Before you make your mind up I would seriously consider the new sigma 50mm f1.4 ART lens.. I haven't used/tested it yet but if it's anything like the 35mm it will be replacing my canon 1.4..
Click to expand...

I've already made my mind up, and its £100 more than what I'm willing to pay. Also I haven't looked at the lens in detail. So I'm buying the Canon 1.4.


I'm placing my order for both lenses today :)
 
On FF I find 50mm a lovely focal length & would certainly go for the f/1.4 over the f/1.8. On crop I'd find it a little tight for general use though.

I'm tempted with another 50mm soon but going to see what new options come along.
 
i hear the sigma art is sharper than the cannon, i have the cheap 50 1.8 canon and love it it gives a good bang for what it costs, why not the 50-500 sigma i hear its a bit sharper than the 150-500
 
the canon 50mm 1.4 is the one I have. I used to have the 1.8. while I loved the 1.8, the 1.4 is worth the money in every way for me. build quality, focusing, sharpness etc.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top